Merry Christmas.

For unto us a child is born,
   to us a son is given,
   and the government will be on His shoulders.
And He will be called
   Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
   Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

To Grandmothers House We Go.

Looking forward to spending Christmas right here in this cozy little two story home filled with good food, family, and lots of love... 

Merry Christmas to All !

Winter Walks.

Do you ever notice how silent everything is in the winter? I don't know if it's the snow that drowns out all the noise or the fact that everything living and breathing is probably  hiding under a rock until spring. Either way, I found my nature walk yesterday to be just that way ... peaceful.

As much as this girl complains about cold weather and wanting to move south, I will throw my hands to the sky and fess up to the fact that I do enjoy the scenery in the winter. Now, ask me if I am still enjoying it come mid February, I may have a different answer for you. But for now, I am taking in every sweet God given moment.

Rag Balls

I crafted together a few ornaments the other day... want to see? You're looking at them! Made out of soft linen that  was hand  ripped into several different pieces. Whew! What a stress reliever that was... I should make these things all year long! 

 and there you have it.... my rag ball ornaments. Ripped with stress and glued together with love.

Chalk it up.

My new love... chalk paint. You can make anything with this stuff ! Despite the fact that my fingers look like I have played with tar all night, I made some pretty sweet mugs. How many times do you have family and friends over and have to break out the smelly sharpie pen (although I must admit, I enjoy this smell) and the big red plastic cups to keep track of everyone's drink. Now your guests can have real glassware to use with their own name written on it in chalk. When they leave...wipe off, wash, and it's ready for the next friend!

and the chalk bag just adds a little extra touch (boasting) 
Oh yeah, pretty rad right? 

Christmas Frames

Yikes! I have really been slacking on the blogging this past week. There is no excuse not to blog today with this weather we are having. Charlie Ray can't even go outside without being blown back in from the wind and snow. So I decided to get out a little paint and went to town on some arts and crafts. Cozy day to brew some Starbucks, whip up some Swedish pancakes, and throw on some slippers and sweat pants (wait, I didn't even change out of my sweats I wore to bed yet). 

 These frames really bring some Christmas Cheer to my home and for the right price they can do the same for yours... :)

 

Stay Warm everyone!

Mr. Reindeer Man

My Sweet Reindeer. 

Winter Wonderland.

Once upon a time there was a piece of wood. It was not an expensive piece of wood. Far from it. Just a common block of firewood, one of those thick, solid logs that are put on the fire in winter to make cold rooms cozy and warm.

This is what I woke up to this morning... 

After a night snuggled up like this...

What a splendid weekend thus far.

Cabernet and Pine Needles.

Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat, please put a penny in the old man's hat. 

Believe it or not, I put together my Christmas tree all alone this year. First time for everything, right? A little Cabernet, pine needle candle, and classical Christmas music was my companion this time around.

To be quiet honest with ya, it was very relaxing. Dad wasn't standing behind me telling me I'm putting the tree together wrong, mom wasn't complaining about dad just standing there not doing anything, and Charlie Ray sat and watched patiently  off to the side as the lights twinkled from a distance. I must say, it is much more rewarding putting it up all by yourself once it is all said and done. For the most part, it wasn't that difficult to match all the colors together ( mind you, this is a fake tree from Michaels, have yet to ever have a real Christmas tree), spruce out the branches, and string some lights and burlap (duh) on it. However, as I was taking the tree out of the bag I remembered last year at this time, my dad broke the base of the tree and tried duct taping it together. So naturally, this tree has a tendency to lean to the right.... my wheels started turning, I felt like pioneer woman over here by getting out the twine I used in my Christmas cards to rope this thing down somehow. Yep! It worked, I rock, I did it. All alone. I may have done a victory dance or two around the first floor.  After all that, I was too tired to even try and take a picture of it.

So stay tuned for a picture of the tree..
 and Merry Christmas!

Falling Bugs.

Yesterday morning as I was getting ready for work, I noticed Charlie Ray barking profusely at something out the window. This really wasn't too big of a shocker to me, an occasional squirrel or bunny might pass by that he likes to give a shout out to, but he would not let his brain and eyes off the subject he had in mind this time. With dripping wet hair and a robe tied tight around me, I bundled up and attached his leash so he could show me what it was he wanted. As I looked out, I noticed it was snowing! The very first snow fall of the season!! Although I brought Charlie home last February when there was snow on the ground, I'm pretty sure that little cavapoo brain of his forgot all about it. The minute I let him out the door he was jumping into the air trying to catch the snowflakes. Mom and I came to the conclusion later in the evening that he probably thought they were little bugs falling from the sky (stretch your imagination with us). After all, he is my little bug catcher around the house.

Finally, after about five solid freezing minutes outside, and a head full of frozen hair, we headed back inside. He ran right underneath the covers, only to try and keep those heavy eyes open to watch the snow fall to the ground out my bedroom window. 

To say the least, it made my morning. 
It's the simple things in life that count.

Let the countdown begin!

Wow, can you believe it's already December 1st! I have decided to ask for my present from Santa 25 days early so he can have time to save up for it. It comes from a little store that starts with a P and ends with an Otterybarn.

 I think after Santa see's this, his Mrs. will more than likely want one herself, so if he has to hand craft it to save money, that would be A-okay with me. (As long as it looks similar to the one above)

Let's be real here, how is a girl supposed to resist that (pottery barn) restored wood, chipped paint, creamy white color?

 Oh, and Santa, if it doesn't fit under the tree, you can just go ahead and hang it in my entrance way, save you some trouble. 

Photoshoot

Yep, my cousins should be models. 

and that's all she wrote.

Back to Work

Time flies when you're having fun doesn't it? We look so forward to our four day weekend full of food, family, and friends. We blink and it's gone- back to work. Here's how I think of it as, if we didn't work as hard during those long weeks and months, we wouldn't enjoy our time off half as much. I have to be thankful for it, and just start to look forward to the next holiday, which is right around the corner. 

I just really hate leaving this guy at home all day.

Happy Monday.

Generations.

Three generations of leopard feet.

Grandma. Me. Mom.

Thanksgiving Highlights.

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them. -John Kennedy

 Tom the Turkey.

Dawner.

 My breakfast this fine and glorious morning. 

Jumble Mumble

Isn't it that life can sometimes feel like a bunch of jumbled together letters? Trying to figure out which one to start with and which one to end with. Knowing that they all need to be put in their place next to one another for everything to be complete.

I'm not even married yet, nor do I have any children and this is how my life can sometimes feel.  Everywhere we look there is some type of responsibility or trial we must hurdle over to get to the next chapter. 

The best part about this is, if life didn't give us trials, we wouldn't grow. 
With the Holidays right around the corner, and while trying to put all your letters together in life, take a step back and remember what you are thankful for and what life is really all about. 
This is my challenge to you.

Have a fabulous Tuesday friends! 

To My Dearest.

To my Dearest Friend Lindsey, 

Thank you for being my selected target. 

Thank you for being naturally beautiful.

Thank you for having a sense of humor with me.

Thank you for your generous heart.

Thank you for your smile that shines so bright.

Thank you for your endless faith.

But most of all... Thank You for being YOU! 
xoxo- me

Paula Deen's Cornbread

 Ingredients

6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted, plus butter for baking dish
1 cup cornmeal
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 1/2 cups buttermilk 

Directions 

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Lightly grease an 8-inch baking dish.

In a large bowl, mix together the cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

In a separate bowl, mix together the eggs, buttermilk, and butter. Pour the buttermilk mixture into the cornmeal mixture and fold together until there are no dry spots (the batter will still be lumpy). Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish.

Bake until the top is golden brown and tester inserted into the middle of the corn bread comes out clean, about 20 to 25 minutes. Remove the cornbread from the oven and let it cool for 10 minutes before serving.

Servings: 4 to 6 servings
Prep Time: 15 min
Cook Time: 20 min

Conley Girl

It's hard to believe it's been a year now since our beloved family Golden Retriever took her last breath of life. It was in the midst of all the hustle and bustle of moving into my place when I got the call. I knew she wasn't feeling good that morning when I was packing up my room. Never did she turn down a carrot for a treat, or lay in bed all day long, not even to go potty outside. As she laid in her bed, I laid right beside her on the floor, kissing her head and stroking her belly.  She didn't ever look up at me, but I just knew she could feel my love and comfort beside her. 

I am so grateful we didn't have to make the decision on taking her to the vet to be put down. She went gracefully, surrounded by my parents in the comfort of her own home. It was almost like she was holding on until the next chapter of my life started. For those of you that don't believe that dogs go to heaven, you are so wrong. Conley will be waiting my arrival when I get home and I so anxiously await that very day. 
You would think I was talking about a family member that passed away by the way I write, but that is exactly how I felt. Conley was a big part of our family since I was young, and will be the best dog I EVER have (sorry Charlie). 

She will forever be in our hearts.

Imitation Creation

Love Love Love... did I mention that I LOVE Pottery Barn? I have a slight addiction with a low budget to back it up. So... my fix? Go to PB, get ideas, go to craft store to buy matching materials, come home and get creative! 

 Saw this guy at the store, wanted to bring him home, but figured for the price of just HIM, I could make several more! That's exactly what I did...

Plus, I like the red better on mine! I'm a happy camper :)